Lighter having safety mechanism

ABSTRACT

A lighter having a safety mechanism comprises a fuel reservoir; an ignition base comprising a supporting frame on each of two opposite sides thereof; an actuating element; and a wheel comprising a rotating shaft on each of two sides thereof. A resilient element is disposed between the supporting frames and provided with a flint. A retaining hole is formed on each of the supporting frames and comprises a first and a second slot, the first slot having a width smaller than a width of the second slot. The rotating shafts are so shaped that they cannot rotate when engaged in the first slots but can rotate in the second slots. The wheel is pivotally connected to the retaining holes by the rotating shafts and is biased by the flint on the resilient element so that the rotating shafts are engaged in the first slots, preventing the wheel from being rotated.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a lighter and, more particularly, to a lighter having a safety mechanism for preventing child from completing the ignition procedure without difficulty while playing with a lighter and causing a fire accident.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Lighters currently sold on the market are easy to carry around and have wide applications, including, for example, setting off firecrackers, lighting a cigarette, and kindling joss paper, incense sticks, candles, etc. Hence, almost every family keeps some lighters. Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional lighter 1 has a main structure comprising a base 10, an actuating element 11, a friction wheel 12 and a fuel reservoir 13. The base 10 covers an upper end of the fuel reservoir 13 and is provided with two fixing frames 100 on a top surface of the base 10 on two opposite sides thereof, wherein a spring 101 is disposed between the two fixing frames 100. The lighter 1 further comprises a flint 14 connected to an upper end of the spring 101. The base 10 is further provided on the top surface thereof with a fuel valve 102 on another side of the top surface. The actuating element 11 is pivotally connected between the two fixing frames 100 and has an opening 110 at a central location thereof for allowing the spring 101 to pass therethrough. The actuating element 11 has a first end provided with a pressing portion 111 and a second end connected with the fuel valve 102. When a user presses the pressing portion 111 of the actuating element 11, the fuel valve 102 is actuated by the second end of the actuating element 11 so as to be opened, allowing a fuel in the fuel reservoir 13 to be released outwards through the fuel valve 102.

Further, the two fixing frames 100 each have a circular pivot hole 103 provided at corresponding locations, while the friction wheel 12 is provided with a cylindrical rotating shaft 120 on each of two sides thereof. The friction wheel 12 is pivotally connected between the two fixing frames 100 by the rotating shafts 120 penetrating the corresponding circular pivot holes 103. In addition, the friction wheel 12 is constantly biased by the flint 14 connected to the upper end of the spring 101. Therefore, when the user rotates the friction wheel 12 to rub the friction wheel 12 against the flint 14, the flint 14 produces a spark as a result of friction. If the pressing portion 111 is simultaneously pressed to open the fuel valve 102, the fuel released outwards will be ignited by the spark.

While the lighter 1 provides an easy ignition procedure involving no more than rotating the friction wheel 12 and pressing the pressing portion 111 at the same time, such easy ignition procedure is also a serious drawback in using the lighter 1. More particularly, if the lighter 1 is randomly placed, a child who finds it incidentally may easily complete the ignition process while playing with the lighter 1, and thereby causes a fire that endangers both life and property safety.

Therefore, it is a major goal of the present invention to design a lighter having a safety mechanism that complies with more rigorous safety regulations, so that a child who happens to find the lighter cannot complete an ignition procedure thereof easily and is therefore guarded from causing a fire accidentally.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the problem and drawback mentioned above, the present inventor after years of practical experience, research and experiments, finally succeeded in developing a lighter having a safety mechanism as disclosed herein, with the aims of effectively solving the problem of the conventional lighter that its ignition procedure can be completed in such an easy manner, with only a few simple operations, that a child who happens to find the lighter may complete the ignition procedure without difficulty while playing with the lighter, and thereby causes a fire accident.

Therefore, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a lighter having a safety mechanism, wherein the lighter comprises a fuel reservoir, an ignition base and an actuating element. The fuel reservoir has a first opening. The ignition base covers the first opening and is provided with a supporting frame on each of two opposite sides of the ignition base, wherein a resilient element is disposed between the two supporting frames. The ignition base is further provided with a flint connected to an end of the resilient element, and a valve disposed at an end of the ignition base. The actuating element is pivotally connected between the two supporting frames and has a second opening for receiving the end of the resilient element passing therethrough. The actuating element has a first end connected to the valve, so that the valve is opened by the actuating element when a user presses a second end thereof, allowing a fuel in the fuel reservoir to be released outwards. The two supporting frames are disposed at corresponding locations and each of them has a retaining hole comprising a first slot and a second slot, wherein the first and the second slots are in communication with each other. The first slot is located above the second slot and has a width smaller than a width of the second slot. The lighter further comprises a wheel having a rotating shaft on each of two sides thereof, wherein each said rotating shaft has a radial cross-sectional shape whose largest diagonal length is greater than the width of the corresponding first slot but not greater than the width of the corresponding second slot. Furthermore, the rotating shafts are so shaped that they are not allowed to rotate when engaged in the first slots but are allowed to rotate freely in the second slots. The wheel is pivotally connected to the two retaining holes of the respective two supporting frames by the corresponding two rotating shafts, and biased by the flint connected to the end of the resilient element so that the two rotating shafts are engaged in the first slots to prevent the wheel from being rotated. When the user applies a downward force to the wheel to move the rotating shafts into the second slots, the rotating shafts are disengaged from the first slots, allowing the user to rotate the wheel in such a manner that the wheel rubs against the flint to produce a spark. If the user presses the second end of the actuating element simultaneously, the valve will be opened to release the fuel outwards, so that the spark ignites the fuel.

Therefore, when it is desired to operate the lighter of the present invention, the user must begin by applying a considerable downward force to disengage the rotating shafts from the first slots, and then rotating the wheel and pressing the actuating element simultaneously to complete an ignition procedure. Thus, the lighter according to the present invention conforms to stricter safety regulations by properly preventing a child who plays with the lighter from easily completing the ignition procedure and thereby causing a fire accident.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a conventional lighter;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a lighter having a safety mechanism according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates use of the lighter having the safety mechanism according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates use of a lighter having a safety mechanism according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 illustrates use of a lighter having a safety mechanism according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 2, a lighter 2 having a safety mechanism according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a fuel reservoir 20, an ignition base 21, an actuating element 22 and a wheel 23. The ignition base 21 covers a first opening 200 of the fuel reservoir 20 and is provided with a supporting frame 210 on each of two opposite sides of the ignition base 21, wherein a resilient element 211 is disposed between the two supporting frames 210 and has an end provided with a flint 212. The ignition base 21 is further provided with a valve 213 at an end thereof. The actuating element 22 has a second opening 220 for receiving the end of the resilient element 211 passing therethrough. In addition, the actuating element 22 is pivotally connected between the two supporting frames 210 and has a first end connected with the valve 213, so that when a user presses a second end of the actuating element 22, the actuating element 22 opens the valve 213 by the principle of lever, allowing a fuel in the fuel reservoir 20 to be released outwards through the valve 213.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the ignition base 21 is provided with retaining holes 214 formed respectively on the two supporting frames 210 at corresponding locations thereof, wherein each said retaining hole 214 comprises a first slot 2140 and a second slot 2141. The first slot 2140 is in communication with and located above the second slot 2141. In addition, the first slot 2140 has a width smaller than a width of the second slot 2141. Furthermore, the wheel 23 is provided with a rotating shaft 230 on each of two sides thereof, wherein each rotating shaft 230 has a radial cross-sectional shape whose largest diagonal length is greater than the width of the corresponding first slot 2140 but not greater than the width of the corresponding second slot 2141. Besides, the rotating shafts 230 are particularly shaped so that the rotating shafts 230 are not allowed to rotate when engaged in the first slots 2140 but are allowed to rotate freely in the second slots 2141. The wheel 23 is pivotally connected to the two retaining holes 214 by the two rotating shafts 230, and biased by the flint 212 connected to the end of the resilient element 211 so that a biasing force keeps the two rotating shafts 230 engaged in the first slots 2140 to prevent the wheel 23 from being rotated. When the user applies a downward force to the wheel 23 to shift the rotating shafts 230 into the second slots 2141, the rotating shafts 230 are disengaged from the first slots 2140, allowing the user to rotate the wheel 23 with a thumb in such a manner that the wheel 23 rubs against the flint 212 to produce a spark. If the user presses the second end of the actuating element 22 simultaneously, the valve 213 will be opened to release the fuel outwards, so that the spark ignites the fuel.

Therefore, when it is desired to operate the lighter 2, the user must hold the lighter 2 firmly and use a thumb to apply a considerable downward force to the wheel 23 to disengage the rotating shafts 230 from the first slots 2140, so that the wheel 23 can be rotated. Then, an ignition procedure is completed by rotating the wheel 23 and pressing the actuating element 22 simultaneously. Thus, the lighter 2 is greatly enhanced in its safety and complies with more rigorous safety regulations. More particularly, a child who plays with the lighter 2 is effectively prevented from completing the ignition procedure with ease, so that a fire will not be caused accidentally.

Referring back to FIG. 2, in the foregoing preferred embodiment of the present invention, the wheel 23 comprises a friction wheel portion 231 and two rotating wheel portions 232, wherein the friction wheel portion 231 is disposed between the two rotating wheel portions 232 at a location corresponding to the flint 212, while the friction wheel portion 231 has an outer diameter smaller than outer diameters of the two rotating wheel portions 232. And because the outer diameter of the friction wheel portion 231 is smaller than the outer diameters of the two rotating wheel portions 232 and the friction wheel portion 231 is located corresponding to the flint 212, when the user operates the lighter 2 by using his or her thumb to rotate the wheel 23, the flint 212 can be retained at a location corresponding to the friction wheel portion 231 and stably rubbed against by the friction wheel portion 231 to produce a spark. This configuration effectively allows the user to accurately complete the ignition procedure whenever the lighter 2 is used.

Moreover, in the foregoing preferred embodiment of the present invention, an adjusting element 215 is pivotally installed on a periphery of the valve 213. By rotating the adjusting element 215, the user can adjust a speed at which the fuel in the fuel reservoir 20 is released through the valve 213 after the valve 213 is opened, thereby controlling a dimension of a flame generated by the lighter 2 when the ignition procedure of the lighter 2 is completed. Now that the dimension of the flame can be conveniently adjusted as needed via the adjusting element 215, the convenience of the lighter 2 is effectively enhanced.

Referring again to FIGS. 2 and 3, in the preferred embodiment shown therein, each of the rotating shafts 230 on the wheel 23 has a radial cross-sectional shape formed as a rectangular shape. In other words, a peripheral surface of each said rotating shaft 230 is not a smooth, curved surface. As a result, when the lighter 2 is not in use, the rotating shafts 230 on the wheel 23 which are engaged stably in the first slots 2140 prevent the wheel 23 from directly being rotated by the user. Only when the user applies an appropriate downward force to the wheel 23 to shift the rotating shafts 230 into the second slots 2141, can the wheel 23 be rotated to rub against the flint 212 so as to produce a spark therebetween. Thus, the lighter 2 provides effective protection in the user's life and property safety and therefore conforms to stricter safety regulations.

In the aforementioned embodiment of the present invention, the radial cross-sectional shape of each said rotating shaft 230 on the wheel 23 can be formed as a shape other than a rectangular shape. In fact, the shape may be subject to change according to an actual design of the lighter 2 and includes, for example, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a star shape, a cross shape, a pentagon, an H shape, etc, provided that the radial cross-sectional shape of each said rotating shaft 230 has a largest diagonal length that is greater than the width of the corresponding first slot 2140 but not greater than the width of the corresponding second slot 2141, and that the rotating shafts 230 are so shaped that the rotating shafts 230 are not allowed to rotate when engaged in the first slots 2140 but are allowed to rotate freely in the second slots 2141.

The present invention has been described with preferred embodiments thereof, which are provided for illustrative purposes only and not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Moreover, as the content disclosed herein should be readily understood and can be implemented by a person skilled in the art, all equivalent changes or modifications which do not depart from the spirit of the present invention are encompassed by the appended claims. 

1. A lighter having a safety mechanism, comprising: a fuel reservoir, having a first opening at an upper end thereof; an ignition base, covering the first opening and comprising a supporting frame on each of two opposite sides of the ignition base, wherein a resilient element is disposed between the two supporting frames and has an end provided with a flint, while the ignition base further has a valve at an end thereof and a retaining hole provided on each of the two supporting frames at corresponding locations, each said retaining hole comprising a first slot and a second slot, in which the said first slot is in communication with and located above the second slot, and the first slot has a width smaller than a width of the second slot; an actuating element, having a second opening for receiving the end of the resilient element passing therethrough, wherein the actuating element is pivotally connected between the two supporting frames and has a first end connected to the valve, so that the actuating element opens the valve when a second end of the actuating element is pressed; and a wheel, provided with a rotating shaft on each of two sides thereof, wherein each said rotating shaft has a radial cross-sectional shape whose largest diagonal length is greater than the width of the corresponding first slot but not greater than the width of the corresponding second slot, and wherein the rotating shafts are so shaped that the rotating shafts are not allowed to rotate when engaged in the first slots but are allowed to rotate freely in the second slots, in which the wheel is pivotally connected to the two retaining holes by the corresponding two rotating shafts and is biased by the flint provided at the end of the resilient element so that the two rotating shafts are engaged in the corresponding first slots to prevent the wheel from being rotated.
 2. The lighter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wheel comprises a friction wheel portion and two rotating wheel portions, in which the friction wheel portion is disposed between the two rotating wheel portions at a location corresponding to the flint, and has an outer diameter smaller than outer diameters of the two rotating wheel portions.
 3. The lighter as claimed in claim 2, wherein the valve is pivotally connected with an adjusting element on a periphery thereof, so that a speed at which a fuel in the fuel reservoir is released through the valve after the valve is opened can be adjusted by rotating the adjusting element.
 4. The lighter as claimed in claim 3, wherein the radial cross-sectional shape of each said rotating shaft has a rectangular shape.
 5. The lighter as claimed in claim 3, wherein the radial cross-sectional shape of each said rotating shaft has a star shape.
 6. The lighter as claimed in claim 3, wherein the radial cross-sectional shape of each said rotating shaft has a cross shape. 